20 QUESTIONS: Connor Jones, St. John Paul II baseball

By Mike Richard

Monday

Jun 25, 2018 at 1:18 PMJun 25, 2018 at 1:18 PM

For Cape and Islands League All-Star Connor Jones, his baseball career at St. John Paul II didn’t end the way he had hoped.

A member of the varsity team since his freshman year, he was on the squad that won two of the school’s three consecutive state titles in 2015-16. Naturally, he would have liked nothing better than to cap his playing career by adding another title to the Lions’ den, but it didn’t work out that way.

SJPII was beaten in the South Sectional semifinals by eventual state champion Archbishop Williams, 6-3.

“Everyone who comes here knows about the baseball team,” said Jones regarding the school’s winning culture. “We always drive ourselves to be the best we can be. You have to work hard every practice and be committed to want to try and win a state title.”

From the time he was very young, he had a close-up view of the Lions championship reign, watching his brother Brady play for the SJPII squad.

“His junior year they went to the first state championship and lost to Lowell Catholic,” said Connor. “I was a big-time fan at that point. I remember watching during their freshman year when they weren’t very good. It was their first time having a varsity team.”

However, the Lions picked up several transfer students and, under coach Mark Santos, they began their run.

“I knew I wanted to come here. I was one year away from being in school with (Brady),” he said.

As a freshman and sophomore, Connor was used sparingly as a pinch runner with the state champs.

“Just being on the team and making that run with those guys -- it was great to be a part of it,” he said.

Current SJPII coach Ryan Soares had good things to say about Connor’s baseball acumen.

“Connor was a leader on our baseball team. His baseball IQ is through the roof,” Soares said. “He always knows where the ball needs to be and where he needs to be. He’s really stepped it up on and off the field.”

In addition, he left his imprint on the St. John Paul II baseball program.

“The guys on the team looked up to him and he became a real vocal leader,” said Soares. “It’s tremendous when you can have a senior step up like that and really lead the ball club.”

20 Questions with Connor Jones, SJPII baseball

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite book: “Home” by Harlan Coben

Favorite food: Burrito from Chipotle

Favorite movie: “The Shawshank Redemption”

Favorite TV show: “Game of Thrones”

Favorite Cape restaurant: Casa Vallarta in Falmouth

Favorite Cape hangout: Any Cape beaches in the summer

Favorite sports team: New England Patriots

Favorite athlete: Tom Brady

Favorite ‘pump-up” music: “Relationship” by Young Thug or any other recent hip-hop music

Best advice I’ve received: Be the best at whatever you do. If you’re going to be a garbage man, be the best garbage man there is.

Person I’d most like to meet: Tom Brady or Robert Downey Jr.

Hobbies and interests: Watching movies, hanging out with friends, playing Fortnite

Own greatest sports moment: Winning the state championship as a freshman and sophomore at SJPII

Most inspirational person: My brother and how their team at SJPII went from a first-year varsity program to state champions by the time he started high school until he graduated.

Pregame rituals / superstitions: Always wear my chain until the umpire makes me take it off

Bucket list place to visit: Brazil

Biggest sports setback or obstacle: Ending the streak of championships last year, losing in the first round.

College plans / major: Study management in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Advice to young athletes: Don’t give up on a sport when you’re young. Keep working hard and doing what’s fun, even if you might not be the best at what you’re doing, because the best is still yet to come.

Know someone who'd be a great candidate for the Barnstable Patriot's 20 Questions feature? Contact Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com.

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